| Tour | Bike+Boat |
|---|---|
| Type | Guided |
| Skill | Moderate |
| Length | 8 days |
| From | €1189 Rates |
| Client Reviews |
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Tour Dates
Paris to Epernay: May 20, June 3, June 17, July 1, and July 15, 2017
Epernay to Paris: June 10, June 24, July 8, and July 22, 2017
Tour Boats
Day-To-Day Itinerary
PARIS TO EPERNAY
Day 1: Arrival in Paris
Day 2: Full day excursion in Paris
Day 3: Paris – Lagny-sur-Marne | Lagny-sur-Marne - Meaux, 21 miles (35 km)
Day 4: Meaux – La Ferté-sous-Jouarre, 22 to 25 miles (35 to 40 km)
Day 5: La-Ferté-sous-Jouarre – Château-Thierry, 32 miles (50 km)
Day 6: Château-Thierry – Dormans – Epernay, 19 to 35 miles (30 to 50 km)
Day 7: Epernay round tour, 16 miles (25 km); visit Epernay and Champagne houses
Day 8: Departure from Epernay
*All distances are “approximate distances” of recommended bike tours. If you do not feel like cycling one or more days, you can always elax on board while cruising to the next town. Program and details barring changes, a.o. as a result of nautical, technical or meteorological reasons.
Day 1: Arrival in Paris
Embarkation and check-in between 5:00 and 6:00 PM at the Quai de Bercy on the Seine in Paris. It is possible to bring your luggage on board at 1 pm. Once on board, the captain, crew, and tour leader will graciously welcome you. Following dinner on board, you'll be briefed about the barge, bicycles, and tour program.
Day 2: Full day excursion in Paris
After breakfast, you will leave the boat and enjoy a full day guided excursion of Paris. Visit some of the many highlights that the “City of Light” has to offer such as the Eifel Tower, the Sacré-Coeur Basilica in Montmartre, the Notre Dame cathedral, the Louvre museum, the Arc de Triomphe, the Centre Pompidou, and the Musée d’Orsay. Your tour guide will take you by public transportation (day ticket not included) from the barge to the center of Paris and on some walking tours. For safety reasons, no cycling tour in Paris is planned.
Day 3: Paris – Lagny-sur-Marne | Lagny-sur-Marne - Meaux, 21 miles (35 km)
During breakfast, the barge will sail on the Marne River through the outskirts of Paris to Lagny-sur- Marne. The barge will pass the tunnel near Saint-Maurice, which is a very impressive experience. In Lagny-sur-Marne, you can take your bicycle for a first ride along the Marne river and its parallel canal. The first challenge is the hill near Chalifert. The barge will take the tunnel through the hill but cyclists can test their endurance by climbing and crossing that hill by bicycle. Today’s destination is the city of Meaux, famous for its “Brie de Meaux” cheeses and the magnificent Cathedral St.-Etienne. The barge will overnight in Meaux.
Day 4: Meaux – La Ferté-sous-Jouarre, 22 or 25 miles (35 to 40 km)
After breakfast you will start your cycling tour through the center of Meaux, leading over the hills and slopes of the Marne valley and through forests and small villages on the southern and northern banks of the river. On the way, you may visit the Château de Montceau, construction of which was started by Catherine de Médicis in the 16th century. During the day you will enjoy a tasting of the famous Brie de Meaux and Brie Noir cheese. The boat will moor for the night in La-Ferté-sous-Jouarre or one of the villages nearby.
Day 5: La-Ferté-sous-Jouarre – Château-Thierry, 32 miles (50 km)
Today is a somewhat challenging bike tour from La-Ferté-sous-Jouarre to Château-Thierry. The first segment leads along the Marne River. After a few miles, you will take a side valley and follow country roads along the small Ru de Bouillons River through various small villages and hamlets. Continuing uphill, you finally reach the plateau above the northern part of the Marne valley. Follow the valley of the small river Clignon. En route , there is opportunity to visit the large WWI American War Cemetery and Monument near Belleau which covers 130.5 acres, and is the final rest for the largest number of US military dead in Europe, a total of 14,246. Most of those buried here lost their lives during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive of World War I. A lovely descent then follows to Château-Thierry. Overnight in Château-Thierry.
Day 6: Château-Thierry – Dormans – Epernay, 19 to 35 miles (30 to 50 km)
Château-Thierrry owes its name to the castle that once was situated on the slopes above the Marne where remnants still remain. Château-Thierry is also known as the native town of the world-famous writer of fables Jean de la Fontaine. You will have the option to choose between a longer or shorter bike ride as you enter the official Champagne area. Cycle along the Marne river or cruise to Dormans, a quiet village on the Marne with a castle and chapel in memory of the battle of the Marne. During World War I, this area was the scene of intense battles. You will see the Château de Boursault, a large castle built in 1848 by the widow of Mr. Cliquot, who gave her name (Veuve Cliquot) to a famous Champagne wine. A ride up the northern valley slope to the village of Châtillon-sur-Marne rewards the cyclist with a stunning panoramic view over the Marne valley and the Champagne vineyards. Dinner on board and overnight in Epernay.
Day 7: Epernay round tour 16 miles (25 km) | afternoon: visit Epernay and Champagne houses
The last bike ride of this tour takes you along the quiet canal parallel to the Marne River to Ay and Mareuil-sur-Ay. Via Dizy as you return to Epenay, there is opportunity to visit Hautvillers. After a somewhat challenging ascent, you will reach this picturesque village of Champagne wine growers on the southern slopes of the Montagne de Reims. A highlight is a visit of the chapel with the tomb of the monk Dom Pérignon. According to tradition, Dom Pérignon (1638-1715), who was in charge of the wine cellars of the abbey of Benedictine monks, was the first to succeed in blending various kinds of wine into a wine of superb quality. Double fermentation, a method for the making of champagne, was also introduced by him. Reportedly, upon tasting his creation, he said, "Come quickly, I am tasting the stars." Once back in Epernay, after lunch, there is time to visit the center. Together with Reims, Epernay is a major wine center of the Champagne region. Three extensive wine regions meet here: the Montagne the Reims, the Côte des Blancs, and the Vallée de la Marne. Epernay has many town houses in the neo-renaissance style or classical style dating from the 19th century, especially around the beautiful Avenue of the Champagne where prestigious champagne houses such as Moët & Chandon are situated. The day ends with champagne tasting and a tour in one of the major Champagne houses.
Day 8: Departure from Epernay
After breakfast, this unique tour ends! At approximately 9 am, there is bus transfer via the Montagne de Reims to the TGV train station Champagne-Ardennes near Reims, arrival at approximately 10 am and also to the center of Reims, arrival at approximately 10:30 am.
EPERNAY TO PARIS
Day 1: Arrival in Epernay. Boarding time between 5 and 6PM.
Day 2: Epernay round tour, visit Epernay and Champagne houses, 16 miles (25 km)
Day 3: Epernay - Dormans - Château-Thierry, 19 to 35 miles (20 to 50 km)
Day 4: Château-Thierry - La-Ferté-sous-Jouarre, 32 miles (50 km)
Day 5: La-Ferté-sous-Jouarre – Meaux, 22 to 25 miles (35 to 40 km)
Day 6: Meaux - Lagny-sur-Marne, 21 miles (35 km)
Day 7: Paris, full day excursion
Day 8: Departure from Paris
If France isn't your thing, be sure to check out our full like of bike and barge tours or our entire catalogue of bike trips.
Email or Call 800-951-4384 +1 570-965-2064
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Pricing Information
Twin cabin: $ 1709 £ 998 $ 1,709 € 1189 $ 1823 kr 9767 kr 9767 CHF 1302 $ 1,367 Twin cabin/single use: $ 2284 £ 1334 $ 2,284 € 1589 $ 2436 kr 13053 kr 13053 CHF 1740 $ 1,827
extra options
Electric bicycle: $ 137 £ 80 $ 137 € 95 $ 146 kr 780 kr 780 CHF 104 $ 109
Gluten free or dairy free meals, payable on board: $ 72 £ 42 $ 72 € 50 $ 77 kr 411 kr 411 CHF 55 $ 58
If you would like information on arrival and departure transfers, please ask.
please note
In France, it is not mandatory to wear a helmet. It is always best to bring your own helmet for proper fit and safety. There will be a limited number available on board. They
should be booked in advance (approx. $ 14 £ 8 $ 14 € 10 $ 15 kr 82 kr 82 CHF 11 $ 12
to be paid in cash on site).
Rates are based on double occupancy.
Information to read before you book.
Travel Details
Travel
Fly into Charles De Gaulle International Airport in Paris. (CDG)
Local Travel
For tour starts in Paris: There are a few options for arriving at the docking location. Station Gare du Lyon is not far from the Quai de Bercy, close to where the boat will be moored. To get to Gare du Lyon from CDG, you can take either an airport shuttle, the train (RER Line B) or a taxi.
For tour starts in Epernay: From CDG, you can take a train to Epernay. Transfers and travel time depend on departure time and type of train.
Climate
Please check local conditions before your arrival. Average high/low temperatures in degrees Fahrenheit in the area you will be traveling are: June: 70/54° and July: 75/58°.
Remarks
In France, it is not mandatory to wear a helmet, however, it is always best to bring your own helmet for proper fit and safety. There will be a limited number available on board. They should be requested in advance.
Tour Operator
This tour is operated by Boat Bike Tours. We do not run these tours ourselves, we never have. We work from the commission the European tour operators offer us plus a small administration fee of €20. We pride ourselves on the strong working relationship we have with all our tour operators and the services we provide.
Champagne Tour Boats + Barges
Zwaantje France Comfort Plus Class Boat The MPS Zwaantje, which means "Little Swaan", is a unique and cozy Dutch passenger barge. The boat has 10 cabins with twin beds and 2 cabins with double beds. These cabins also have a bunk bed but cannot be used as a triple. Each cabin has private facilities.
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Customer Feedback
Jeff K. 1 month ago
The boat staff was great. Food, service and cleanliness was excellent.
Boat: Zwaantje
Reply
Paul L. 1 month ago
The Zwaantje barge crew were most excellent - great accommodations, food and customer service!! I would take another bike and barge trip with this group....it was an experience of a lifetime!
Boat: Zwaantje
Reply
Fulton A. 1 month ago
Mega-kudos to the Zwaanje crew, headed by Martin. They're an extraordinary group.
Our guide, Mintje, was good and well-intentioned, but she sometimes didn't grasp entirely the group's priorities.
The route was fantastic -- scenery, length of rides, etc. The tours (champagne, brie, etc., were excellent, especially the family-owned company, Nowak. We learned things and had a lot of fun.
We appreciated how Martin and Mintje responded to our requests for flexibility in developing distance options for less- and more-eager riders.
Also, availability of electric bikes made it possible for spouses (of both sexes) to accompany on rides they usually wouldn't be able to do. We know electric bikes are controversial in some corners, but they made the trip possible for some of our group.
One last thing ... TripSite's PDF summarizing the ride, proposing packing lists, giving directions and tips, was excellent. Congratulations.
Boat: Zwaantje
Reply
D. Power 2 months ago
The staff on the Zwaantje made the trip!
Boat: Zwaantje
Reply
D. Miller 3 months ago
The ship, captain and crew were wonderful. Our guide was totally unacceptable!
My only complaint regarding the boat was due to the small cabins. The French locks are narrow, so the boat is narrow, making the rooms a bit to small for my comfort.
Our main concern was the unprepared tour group leader. She was constantly undecided on how to proceed. I think it was more trying to please the group than not knowing what to do. There should have been a route guide for each person (all we received was a large map with no route shown on it). She needed to be a leader rather than a friend!
Boat: Zwaantje
Reply
M. Dumestre 3 months ago
I highly recommend the Swaantje barge. The captain is both technically experienced and oriented toward customer satisfaction. The staff was very attentive to passenger needs.
The bike guide was competent, but needed a bit more familiarity with the routes.
Boat: Zwaantje
Reply
C. Robinson 3 months ago
Rooms really small; Guide was lost a lot; Staffers not very good with knowledge of E bikes;
But food was great..staff was kind..trip was pretty.
Boat: Zwaantje
Reply
D. Quigley 3 months ago
Your tour was so damn good l find l'm getting naught done cause l want to go again - tomorrow. Seriously, l received courteous service that was pertinent and addressed any of the issues that l might have experienced. Personally, l think the whole Bike and Barge tour was run to the highest professional standards under what were adverse weather conditions. You can't plan for the tidal wave like flood of water that swept down the rivers and the very fact that you were able to 'tap-dance in the snow' and continue to operate at all does you no amount of credit. So from me, a big thank you to all the staff and keep up the good work. it was indeed a distinct pleasure for me to bear witness as other professionals surmounted adversity and came out on top.
D. Quigley - Melbourne, Australia.
Boat: Zwaantje
Reply
D. Uram 3 months ago
For the most part the trip was wonderful, I would like to put most of my answers right in the middle of satisfied and not satisfied, I just thought the scenery and the landscape etc. was not what I expected. That is not your fault, enjoyed my trips to Italy and Germany were much more scenic
Boat: Zwaantje
Reply
C. Bauer 3 months ago
The guide seemed lost most of the time. He didn't know where to stop for a picnic and one day we ate our lunches at a bus stop. I realize cafes mostly close in France between 12 and 2, but his lack of knowledge of where to find a toilet after lunch was a problem. He chastised us for being slow to re-organize, but then later we'd stop for no reason and wait for up to a half hour with no info from him. He was good at describing architecture.
Boat: Zwaantje
Reply
Jehiel 3 months ago
Hi C. Bauer,
Thank you so much for your comment. We have contacted our local partner and assure you we are working very hard to improve this tour based on your feedback. Thanks again for sharing!
Boat: Zwaantje
Reply
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